RIP, the .380NF is a great bullet in my .404. Accuracy is there & so is the expansion:

I have talked to Mike about a lighter 325-340gr for general plainsgame use. Put me down for 100. I have also talked to him about solids & he didn't promise but he may have a prototype box of 50 for me before I head for Moz. in Sept. The Barnes 400gr monometal solid shoots under MOA @ 2200fps from M70 but I would be willing to field test them if they shoot as well.

Alf,
Bite yourself. You know the stainless synthetic M70 404 Jeffery will still be going strong when that antique Mauser is just rust and dust, assuming you would ever take it out and subject it to the elements.

It's O.K. to own a really tough tool without detracting from the charm of the antiques at all. You can still put on the white gloves and fondle the Oberndorfs at tea time, with pinky fingers extended.

BigB,
Perfect! I see that you have absorbed the lessons well from many of the cognoscenti of this site.

McGowen lists those barrels as "425" nominally, for they are designed for the 404 Jeffery and the 425 Express, which both use .423 bullets. My smith slugged the bore and it is a true .423 bore.

Remember to get the bolt face opened up to 0.545" for the good 404 Jeffery brass by Norma, which is not rebated like the RUM brass. Then your tool will feed and function faultlessly.

JCN,

That does indeed blow. No TSX's in .423 caliber.

GSC HV 320 grain and FN 387 grain, in the best of all possible worlds.

Take a look at those bullets.

I will make do with Swifts and Woodleighs and plain old X-Bullets, and I better get some North Forks.

Here's hoping that HV Concepts and the pipeline to GSC survives.

Rip.

Hi, im relatively new here. I have found a good "sheep" bullet for the 404. It is produced here in Norway and it is a 300 grain solid copper hollow point bullet. They make their bullets on cnc machines and have a reputation for superb accuracy. I have just loaded a few for my own 404, but havent tried it yet. Take a look at: www.arms-ammo.no

You know,
We could make our own relief cuts in basic Barnes X Bullets. If anyone could send me one each of the GSC bullets......

25 years ago who would have believed that rifles would have silver colored metal, black colored stocks, and would shoot bullets without lead?

I'll send to Norway for some of their bullets to try. Will make a full report to the Anachronistic Big Bore Rifle (of the month)Building Club.
JCN

kristian67,
Your English is much better than my Norweigan. How much does a box of the 300 grain bullets in .423" diameter cost in US dollars? I don't know the exchange rate from $ to kr.
Thanks,
JCN

kristian67,
That sounds like just what I am looking for! I perused the site but could not find the .423 caliber 300 grainer. Of course my poor ability with Norwegian language doesn't help, but am I missing something? Is there such a bullet listed there, or is this not cataloged yet. Thanks!

JohnCharlieNoak,
Did you find the bullet listed on the Norwegian site?
I could send you a sample of the GSC 380 grain .416 FN and a GSC 300 grain .375 HV and a Bridger copy of the .375 WalterHog (300 grainer). I have no .423 GSC bullets. Are you serious about making up some .423 sheep bullets? 300 to 320 grainers? Might as well look into an FN solid too, 380 to 400 grain ballpark, eh?

Jcn/Rip

I think the cost would be about $64. Sorry to have misled you but i just saw that the bullet was not mentioned in the catalogue. I think it is relatively new in their sortiment. I also think that weight was chosen because it is quite a lot of 10,75X68 mausers floating around here. Had one myself. The bullet design look a bit like the HT i think. Anyway, a bit on the costly side for a 25 pack the owner of the firm is an experienced hunter and is very service minded. I have spoken to him in person and he said that he could make any bulletweight that the customer wanted, but he then wanted an order for at least 100-150 bullets

kristian67,
If he is already making a 300 grain HV-like bullet in .423 caliber, that would be great! So, what is the best way to contact him regarding this? Thanks for the help.

I just got off the phone with Mike at North Fork. He said he would do us a run of 320 gr North Forks if and when he got an order for 1500 bullets. That is an order not just saying yah I would take a box or two from half dozen or so. I also got word from Gina at GScustom that the firstHV Concept order that is mostly gone and the second order that they are still or just finished processing contained no .423 bullets. They said they had lots in stock though. Good hunting. D

Rip
Just happy to help. The best way to contact him will be by fax,email or by telephone. If you go back to the webpage and look on the left side, you will find a place stating "kontakt oss"(contact us). there is all info regarding email, fax etc. I could off course give him a call monday and tell him to be prepared to ship to US.

So Here is how the bullets will shake out for me in .423:

North Fork 380 grain: the "goto" bullet, no other soft is really needed, gotta get my order in.

Swift 400 grainer: All is well and good.

Woodleigh 400 grain FMJ: until a better solid comes along ... Is a 380 grain North Fork solid on the horizon?

Woodleigh 400 grain RNSP Weldcores: for the low velocity traditional loads

The Mythical Norwegian 300 grain HV-Type: if I can ever get them.

GSC/HV/FN: I'm getting tired of trying ...

Where do you buy the 404 made by RWS, I have yet to find someone selling it. I ordered 20 rounds from Superior for Harry McGowen to allow him to test for feeding etc. I am assuming Superior uses Norma brass for his loads.

BigB

D Hunter,
Thanks for that inquiry. Sounds like a good idea to me.
A 320 grain North Fork is a nice notion. I'll go in on them ... Lessee ... $1/bullet X 1500 = $1500

Could there be any kind of volume discount over the usual 50/box price?

Is anyone else interested in stocking up? I'll be calling to ask about them too.

BigB,

I don't know that. I have some old, unfired, Berdan-primed DWM cases that I found in Rapid City, SD, at Jack First's Gun Shop.

I used that for dummies.



I wouldn't bother with anything but Norma brass, myself. You can get that from Midway.



The Norma brass seemed to be 2.870+" and I trimmed them down to 2.850" for first firing, expecting the most accepted length to be 2.860" max. This seems to be what the DWM was.



The A-Square manual shows a case max length of 2.875" (trim to 2.865")and claims that to be the CIP standard: Commission Internationale Permanente.



They also show the CIP average pressure max to be 52,975 Piezo PSI or 46,444 CUP. That is plenty to allow trouble free 2400 fps loads with 400 grain bullets in any conditions, IMHO.



The next batch of Norma brass that I fire, I will leave long (try 2.870") and see if that causes any problems or improvements.

Sorry gang,
I was out of class for a few hours taking a siesta and mourning Ronald Reagan. He was my CIC during the penultimate years of the cold war.

RIP,
Yeah, lets see if we can make our own GSC style bullets. If they can get their supply chain flowing, great. If not, then great. I'm in on the North Fork order for 200 pieces.
Send me a PM when it's check writing time.

kristain67,
Thanks for your help. Please do call them Monday so they aren't supprised when the get a couple of faxes from the USA. I will e-mail them also.

JCN

Will do. By the way, anyone here done a good test on the swift 404 bullets? I have been trying to get hold of them and now they are available here. I have tried swift in different calibers and are impressed with their performance.

Kristian67,
Swift brought that bullet out so Dakota could load it in the 404 Dakota at 2400 fps or thereabouts. It is pretty new, not likely to have been actually used much yet. If you can get it you won't go wrong, I am sure. The current Swift A-Frames are accurate and tough. I have used the .375/300 grain A-Frame on Kodiak deer (.375 Wby) and water buffalo (.375 H&H), it worked perfectly. I have also loaded and bench rest tested Swift A-Frames in 250 grain .358 STA, 400 grain .416 Rigby, 500 grain .460 Wby, and 500 grain .470 NE. They are always accurate. The only criticism of some is that they are too perfectly expanded, big and round and smooth like a death cap mushroom, shedding no weight and not penetrating deeply. I think that is bull hockey. Nothing wrong with a Swift A-Frame.

JohnCharlieNoak,
We'll see what we can do on a North Fork sheep bullet. It would be nice if North Fork would make a 380 grain solid to go with the 380 grain soft as well. The SD of the 380 grain .423 bullet is .303 and that is good enough at 2400 to 2500 fps in the 404 Jeffery. The soft is 1.425" long and ought to work very well in my 10" twist barrel(s).

RIP,
Lets get them to make the full sized solid first. We'll lead them gently down the garden path.

If any body has any reference books, articles, or threads on cutting bullets out of stock, please contact me. No sense reinventing anything. It would be much easier standing on Walter's shoulders. From what Saeed says, it might not be safe though....
JCN

RIP I would be in for a couple hundred too but that still leaves us a long way from 1500. Any more takers out there? Thanks "D"

We'll see, maybe Groove Bullets could be interested in a 300 to 320 grain .423 caliber.

They would be ideal for that kind of bullet. I know their accuracy is of the highest order, from testing some 265 grain .375 bullets.

The North Fork seems ideal as is at 380 grains, but needs a solid to go with it.

A 320 grain North Fork would be the Cat's Meow.

Maybe I better just stick with US makers, here in the good old USA.

The length of this thread does not indicate true interest in a 404 Jeffery sheep bullet. Rather it may be the male equivalent of little old ladies gossiping over the backyard fence. I will not pursue D Hunters idea of a lightweight North Fork 423. I just want to get into line for some of the 380 grain North Fork 423's, that they already make. As it is, it seems Ray A has bought up the last of the 380 grainers, and materials for the next batch are on the way.

So folks, get your orders in by calling Mike Brady of North Fork at:

307-436-2726

JCN/ RIP
Talked with the boss of the norwegian bullet firm. He ships abroad and 404 bullets are in stock.

Those Norfolks look good pity there not availble in Oz.

RIP,
I may have a box or two of 300 gr. BarnesX bullets that I'd trade you for 350 or ???, got my iron pants on so fire away, I love a good trade

kristian67,

I used the Swift 400 grain .404 bullets on cape buffalo in February. Velocity was about 2350. First shot broke the near side shoulder and stopped under the skin on the off side. Range was +/- 15 yards. Recovered bullet was typical Swift smooth mushroom with bulge in the shank. Performance was equal to A-Frames I've used in .375 and .458.

David W
Thanks for info. At that range there must have been a tremendous stress on the bullet, but it is typically swift to hang on during those situations. That was a lovely buff. What type of rifle, old classic or a newer one?

Read this exchange from the bottom up.

pretty close

-----Original Message-----
From: John Noak, MD [mailto:JohnNoak@cableone.net]
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 4:31 PM
To: 'Hornady Webmaster'
Subject: RE: 404 Jeffrey

Well, I know four other guys who will buy the same amount. We�re just 88,500 short, eh?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Hornady Webmaster [mailto:webmaster@hornady.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 12:25 PM
To: JohnNoak@cableone.net
Subject: RE: 404 Jeffrey

Thanks, what do I do with the rest? SH

-----Original Message-----
From: John Noak, MD [mailto:JohnNoak@cableone.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 4:22 PM
To: webmaster@hornady.com
Subject: 404 Jeffrey

Dear Hornady,
If you will make 404 Jeffrey bullets I will buy 500 from the first run (1/2 solid, � soft).
Thanks,
John Noak

kristian67,

The rifle is a new custom, built on a Brno ZKK 602 action, Lothar Walther barrel at 25", quarter rib with one standing and one folding, NECG banded front sight with ivory pop-up. Just a basic "working gun", nothing fancy. I've been happy with the rifle and the caliber.

kristian67,
Kjell Tonheim responded to my email inquiry. I will see if I am able to purchase the 300 grain .423 bullets. Thanks!

Mike Brady of North Fork should have the next batch of 380 grain .423's in the works, and likely a solid to go with it. I went ahead and ordered some 450 grain .458 North Forks for use in the 45 Lapua, and hope to be in the pipeline when the .423's are ready.

Ray,
I could use 300 grain X-Bullets in .423. I guess they are discontinued, but would be of "technical" interest. I shall email you. Thanks.

David W,
Great report on the new Swift 400 grain A-Frame in .423. Thanks.

JCN,
Thanks for the peek at the Hornady emails. My response from them was of the same "odor." Speer too.

David, Who did your conversion for you? About what does the conversion cost if it is hired done? D

David W

Must be a nice gun, nearly the same as mine, but mine has a 24" walther barrel. rigby peep and mcmillan stock. Today i will get the news if i get hold of an old 602 action. The one with the pop up peep integrated in the action.

RIP

Glad to hear he responded to your email. He has just returned from a hunting trip in africa where he had tested some new bullet.

D,

Not sure my experience with getting the rifle built is a good one to go by. I went through a couple of smiths before I got it right. Dennis Olson re-did the metal work after the first guy screwed it up. Dennis has worked on two rifles for me - the other a custom .458 Lott and did a good job on both. If you're thinking about having a .404 built, I would give him a call and would also talk to Jim Brockman. Cost will vary, based among other things, on components and artistic quality of the finished product. The key is to start the project with a smith who knows what he's doing in the first place...

Hey kristian67!

Check your inbox.

I started to make a post about the Corbin ULD bullets, make your own bullet kits?

Ultra Low Drag/ULD(TM): rebated boattail, benchrest accuracy, pointy-high ogive, bonded core, roll your own from .12 caliber to 1-inch bore?

Warning: I got a trojan virus detection when I opened the corbins.com site. Don't go there until this gets checked out. But, has anyone made their own Corbin ULD bullets? I'll just start another thread for that question, and let this one die, finally.